Drivers, Enablers, and Outcomes of Sustainable Competitiveness in Green Exports

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD, Student of business, Department of Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran. Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Faculty of Management, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In recent years, the significance of sustainability and environmental issues in economic activities—particularly in the export sector—has increased considerably. Exporting companies, in their efforts to maintain and enhance their positions in global markets, have adopted green and innovative strategies. This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the sustainable competitiveness of firms in green exports and to propose a conceptual model. Employing a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative), the qualitative phase utilized a meta-synthesis method to analyze 42 selected articles from a pool of 174 publications indexed in Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from 2015 to February 2025, resulting in the extraction of 11 main categories. In the quantitative phase, the DEMATEL method and the insights of 10 export experts were used to analyze the causal relationships among these categories. The findings indicate that the factors influencing sustainable competitiveness in green exports are classified into three layers: drivers (strategic orientation and overarching green export policies, digital transformation, green innovation, and green knowledge management), enablers (competitiveness and competitive advantages in green markets), and outcomes (organizational performance, environmental sustainability, green marketing, green supply chain management, organizational capabilities, and green export risks). The proposed conceptual model addresses existing gaps in the literature and provides a practical and strategic tool for managers and policymakers to enhance the competitive standing of companies in global markets.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of International Business Administration
Volume 8, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 99-134

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 11 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 20 July 2025

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